Hawaii volcano destroys over two dozen homes, more threatened

Lava covers a street in the Leilani Estates area in this image released by the US Geological Survey

Lava covers a street in the Leilani Estates area in this image released by the US Geological Survey (AFP Photo/HO)

Leilani Estates (United States) (AFP) - More than two dozen homes have been destroyed and dozens more are threatened by red-hot lava seeping from the Kilauea volcano, the most active in Hawaii, civil defense officials said.

Evacuation orders remained in place Monday for hundreds of residents of the Leilani Estates and Lanipuna Gardens areas in the eastern part of Hawaii's Big Island.

Hawaii's Civil Defense Agency, in its latest update, said 26 homes have been destroyed by lava oozing up from fissures in the ground.